Safety Warnings and Information for Duplo and blueline® Products

WARNING

Perform the bare hoof trimming professionally and then select the optimum shoe size. Incorrect shoe sizes or inadequate adjustment of the shoe to the hoof can increase the risk of the horse losing a horseshoe. Whether glued, cast or nailed - lost horseshoes are always a safety risk for your own horse and the entire herd.

REFERENCE

All information on customization and modification can be found online.

WARNING

Make sure to adjust the angle of the clips to the hoof wall . Protruding clips increase the risk of injury for the horse and the herd. This applies to both plastic and metal clips.

If you are using the "Basic" model, be sure to grind the quarter clips before shoeing to prevent injuries. When grinding or removing metal quarter clips, sparks may occur. Ensure proper safety precautions and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment , especially suitable eye protection.

WARNING

If the position of the knobs on the hoof is not ideal, this can lead to pressure on sensitive areas. Therefore, always ensure the correct position of the knobs on the hoof and grind off any incorrectly positioned knobs.

WARNING

Read and follow the warnings and safety instructions for the adhesive used. If you purchase the adhesive from us, we will enclose the warning and safety instructions separately with the delivery, unless they are noted on the product itself.

REFERENCE

You can also find the instructions online in the product descriptions of the respective adhesive.

NOTICE

Anyone working with polyurethanes is required to complete training on the safe use of diisocyanates . It is the responsibility of the user to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations.

WARNING

Remove all knobs in advance to be on the safe side. If the knobs have not yet fully penetrated the hoof horn when gluing, the tabs may be compressed later, which could have a negative effect on the secure hold of the adhesive horseshoe.

TIPP

All open-toed models , the Basic , as well as our "Base Plate" and the Pony Shoes, have no knobs at all.

WARNING

When choosing the correct shape and size of a horseshoe with stud holes, always pay attention to the position of the thread inserts. Incorrectly positioned thread inserts can increase the risk of the shoe coming off and/or exerting undesirable pressure on sensitive areas of the hoof.

WARNING

To avoid punctual pressure on the hoof and not impair the stability of the thread insert, protect the thread inserts from accumulating dirt at all times with the aid of stud blanks or closing plugs .

WARNING

Our 6mm studs with disk are only suitable to a limited extent, depending on the ground conditions. Never use higher studs, as the thread inserts could be levered out of position. Do not use studs without disk to avoid punctual pressure on the hoof.

The slightly higher "Nordic" studs are developed exclusively for the Nordic countries . With these studs, it must be ensured at all times that the stud can sink completely into the ground. Otherwise, the use of these studs could affect the stability of the shoe and the health of the horse in the long term.

WARNING

The thread inserts, which are firmly anchored in the metal core, are generally suitable for slightly higher studs. However, if the ground is hard and the stud cannot sink in, we believe that higher studs should only be used when necessary.

The permanent use of higher studs can have a negative effect on the health of the horse, the stability of the shoe and the safety of the herd, especially on hard ground. Do not use studs that are higher than the heights available from us and specified for your horseshoe.

CAUTION

Spikes increase both the grip of the horseshoe and the risk of injury in the herd - but of course to a different extent than studs do.

They are comparable to the tungsten carbide pins in conventional horseshoes.

NOTICE

The exact placement and number of spikes used in the plastic cover is at the discretion of the on-site farrier. Basically, the options differ depending on the type of horseshoe used.

WARNING

Spikes are only suitable in combination with a composite horseshoe with synthetic cover or a purely synthetic horseshoe. Spikes are not suitable for use with steel shoes or GluShu. Spikes must not be screwed directly into the hoof.

WARNING

To avoid pressure on sensitive areas of the hoof, the spikes should be fitted in the plastic cover in the area of the bearing edge of the hoof wall .

Under no circumstances should the spikes be screwed in too far inwards, i.e. under the sole of the hoof. If the spike is too close to the edge of the horseshoe, the plastic may tear out.

If the spike is not screwed in far enough, it is easy to lose and also poses a risk of injury to humans and horses.

If the spike is screwed in too far, it does not provide any additional grip and there is a risk of the thread of the spike breaking through the hoof side of the horseshoe.

To ensure a reliable grip, the spike should not be overtightened.

NOTICE

Remove the debris guard as precisely as possible. If you cut away too much material, the hooks of the sole protector may not grip properly later, making installation more difficult.

Make sure you wear Personal Protective Equipment and ensure adequate ventilation when installing the HSP.

WARNING

The weld seam must run without gaps along the entire edge of the sole protector to ensure stability.
Risks due to unstable weld seams:

• Dirt could get in, which can lead to an undesirable build-up of pressure.
• Loss of the sole protector.

NOTICE

Our Protective Insoles are hoof pads for steel shoes and offer a certain level of protection against snow and mud balling up .

They cannot be used in combination with Duplo horseshoes, blueline® horseshoes, or similar products from other manufacturers.

WARNING

Ensure a secure fit in the horseshoe during use. The insole can only perform its function if it is correctly fitted and processed. If used incorrectly, there is a risk of the insole slipping on the horseshoe or dirt accumulating between the horseshoe and the insole.

REFERENCE

See also section 3.2.1

NOTICE

If the metal core of the horseshoe is already visible due to extreme abrasion, we generally advise against using the horseshoe for another shoeing cycle. The final decision is up to the farrier on-site.

WARNING

Before re-shoeing, it is essential that the horseshoe is leveled .

If the shoe was deformed during the previous shoeing period, this could lead to tension and pressure on the sole .

CAUTION

Please note that a used horseshoe has a slightly different slipping behavior than a new horseshoe - similar to a used winter tire on a car. Also pay attention to the depth of the profile of the horseshoe. If in doubt, you should always opt for a new shoe for safety reasons.

DANGER

If you want to reuse an adhesive horseshoe, you must remove the remains of the old glue from the glue-on tabs. The old glue residue would have a negative effect on the new adhesive bond.

Please note that the sanding dust from the glue poses considerable health risks. Always protect yourself with Personal Protective Equipment and adequate ventilation.

CAUTION

To avoid injuries, check at least once a week...

• ...whether there are any sharp edges on the horseshoe.
• ...whether the clips are positioned correctly against the hoof wall .
• ...whether there are any open rivets on nailed horseshoes.
• ...whether the adhesive connection between the glue-on tabs and the hoof and the weld seam between the shoe and the tabs are intact in the case of adhesive horseshoes.
• ...whether the cast bandage on cast horseshoes is intact and no sharp points of the cast hooks are exposed.

NOTICE

Regular hoof cleaning is essential even for a horse with shoes in order to maintain the horse's health. Especially in winter conditions, hooves should be checked more frequently than usual and thoroughly cleaned out.

WARNING

Our products can help reduce the presence of foreign objects under the hoof — including snow, stones, and dirt — but we cannot guarantee this. This applies equally to shoes with a debris guard , shoes with a closed sole, as well as our Protective Insoles . It can always happen that larger stones get wedged under the hoof or that, despite all precautions and the integrated debris guard, dangerous ice and snow can be balled up in winter.

Many hoof care products require the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gloves and respiratory or eye protection, due to their ingredients. Even for products with natural ingredients - and even if no warnings are indicated - we generally recommend suitable PPE, especially protective gloves. Natural substances can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions . Always ensure good ventilation during application.

CAUTION

The gliding ability of our shoes on slippery surfaces (e.g. freshly mown meadows, wet leaves) corresponds approximately to that of an unshod hoof or a worn conventional horseshoe without studs. You must always adapt your speed and riding style to the surface and reduce your speed appropriately to prevent accidents. When using our products on slippery surfaces, you should use studs or Spikes to provide the horse with even better grip .

CAUTION

The use of spikes and studs and the monitoring of their correct fit and integrity during the shoeing period is at the discretion of the horse owner / rider in cooperation with the local farrier.

Check the correct fit and integrity of the spikes or (blind) studs and the thread inserts daily and before every activity with the horse. A crooked (blind) stud is an indication that the fit of the thread insert is no longer optimal.

WARNING

The Snow Edition was specially manufactured for use in snow. It is aimed at anyone who has a problem with snow balling up . We assume that the "Snow Edition" is more slippery than the regular models when used without additional anti-slip protection.

We strongly advise against using it without additional anti-slip protection in the form of Spikes and/or studs.

NOTICE

If the metal core is already visible due to increased abrasion, the core functions of the horseshoe (hoof protection and shock absorption ) are still provided and it does not usually need to be replaced immediately.

WARNING

As soon as the metal core is visible, the risk of injury for the horse and the herd increases. When deciding when to change a horseshoe, the horse's behavior must be taken into account. Check whether there are any sharp edges on the horseshoe. If in doubt, consult your farrier to decide whether the horseshoe needs to be replaced.

NOTICE

The steel border of the "Arizona" horseshoe is only minimally covered with plastic. It will therefore be visible within a very short time. With this special horseshoe, this is not a sign of increased abrasion or wear.

CAUTION

Due to the steel border, the risk of injury is higher with the "Arizona" than with our other horseshoes.

REFERENCE

See also section 3.7. with regard to the visible metal core or abrasion on the "Arizona".

WARNING

Basically, most horseshoes are also suitable as riding shoes if they are used as orthopaedic / therapeutic horseshoes. This also applies to open-toed horseshoe , which are often used as laminitis horseshoes.

An exception is the cast horseshoe (see section 3.10).

We are unable to assess the extent to which your horse is able to perform and therefore can be ridden during this shoeing period.

When a horse is lame, it is obvious to everyone that there is a problem. However, if your horse is only more sensitive to pain at certain points during this phase or is simply more cautious, it may be that it is less sure-footed in the field, for example. You should therefore pay close attention to your horse's signals so as not to endanger your own health or that of your horse.

WARNING

The cast horseshoe is a special form of orthopaedic / therapeutic horseshoe.

It is not suitable as a riding shoe.